Devil in the backyard

Dad stopped by a little later than usual. He sauntered in the door holding the remains of a few sunflowers. Hmph! Someone jumped the fence & picked his flowers again. So frustrating. We definitely have plenty to share, but seriously, what is wrong with people? I would never go into someone's yard to pick their flowers. It technically is a)trespassing & b)stealing. Yuck. It bugs dad on many levels. The law, the consideration & it is tough not to take it personally. It hurts. Just knock on the dang door & ask. We're outside more often than not during the day. I refuse to sit out & watch every person that walks down the trail. It stinks. And if you're going to rip them out - at least take them with you - there was a trail of them down the bank.

So I wrote a sign to "post". It read "SUNFLOWERS. For your viewing pleasure. Grown in memory of our beloved Uncle Will, Grandmom & our children, Avery & Nolan. Please to do not trespass. (This includes reaching over or climbing over the fence & picking the flowers). Thank you."
I really wanted to add ....JACKASS! afterwards, but...I refrained.

When I walked the sign out to Dad, I almost stepped on this - the world's biggest caterpillar. Not really the World's biggest, but big enough! Isn't he cool? I scurried back inside to get Calvin & we spent some quality time with our squatter. Hickory horned Devil - Citheronia regalis. After 2 years in its pupae - eventually a Regal Moth. In 2 years, I'll have my eye out for him. The get up to 6 inches long & this was probably close. Unreal!

This kid has a cool life! Even if I wouldn't let him keep or snuggle with the Devil.